The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-07-11
TURNING on THE Light.

"A oFhhu army Mah Gives the History OF
Growers Invitation to St. Louis,
CLEVELAND, June 0.-Mr. a. G. Peter
son, q former Clevelander, and at present
reading in st. Louis, is a prominent mem
ber Of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
being Post Commander there, and waa
largely instrumental in securing tho an.
campment of that organization in ST.
Louis, as we'll as inviting the President to
visit the city and take part in the proceed
!ngs: MIR. Peterson is at present stopping
in Cleveland, and in the, course Of a con.
versation with the Dispatch correspondent
to-day related how st. Louis came to be
selected for the encampment and the in.
vitation extended to the President, After
stating how he worked up the idea of
holding the encampment there and was
finally successful in securing his object.
Mr.. Peterson continued: Er7l-,, =
In the month CT February the Depsrt-
ment Commander Of Missouri G, a. r.
Colonel Nelson Cole, called together about
fifteen 6. A. r. men for the purpoge of
taking into consideration the preliminary
arrangements of the entertainment snd
reception Of the G. A. r. The gentlemen
so called together decided it was not the
proper thing to do to have only Grand
Army men manage the affairs, so it was
resolved to have committee Of thirty-liye
gentlemen, this committee to be selected
in part by the Department Commander
and in part by the Mayor OF the CITY,
which was done. And here lot me saw
they are the best business men and citi.
zsns that our city contains, men who arc
the soul OF honor aud who would scorn to
DO anything not honorable in the yery
highest degree. At one OF the first meet.
ings OF our committee I stated that we
must give the Grand Army Of tbs Repub.
lie when it came to st, Louis rousiur re.
ception; that We must not take back seat
Tor any city, not even San Frsucieco.
where the hospitality was unbounded, and
the reception most cordial; that we must
put our shoulders to the wheel and make
It the grandest encampment the United
States ever saw and probably ever would
see. s. rs "A, s5S' y IIsIs-
After feeling that we wero going to do
this l Buggested tho idea OF having with
us on that occasion the President Of the
United States, and then putting it in
shape OF motion and supplementinp il
with an amendment that committee of
three be instructed to extend this invita-.
ton, my motion was unanimously adopt.
ed, and General D. P. Grier appointed ea
such committee Hon. David r. Francis.
IN behalf Of the city; Hon. Frank Gaien.
ne, PresidenEof the Merchants' Exchange.
in behalf Of the business men, and GEN.
eral John W. Noble, Commander Of
Frank P. Blair Post No. l, G. a, r.. in
behalf OF the Grand Army. This commit
tee, in q formal manner, invited the Pres
ident to St. Louis during the time the
National Encampment would hold its sea-
sion there. This invitation was in writ.
ing, and tho receipt OF 10 was acknowl.
edged by Dan Lamont, the private secre.
tary Of the President. S5 IN ,".',
Now, In regard to the feeling aroused by
the President's supposed preaence. / can
only say this, I think I but voice the een.
timent OF a very large and decided ma.
jority Of our order when say that thew
would be glad to have the President visit
st. Louis during the encsnpnent week.
and as President Of these United states
he would receive all the honors that could
be bestowed upon the Office. General ".
I. Sherman Is a member OF Ransom Post.
GA. R., OF which I have the honor to be
Commander, .and think his letter upon
this subject expressed the feelings Of
nearly our entire order. l57'.si. 1.